Innovative, Healthy, Fun

KosherEye is always looking for new kosher products, culinary gadgets and trends and instantly knew we had spotted one while attending the January, 2011, AmericasMart Gift Show. There it was – this fun, very colorful, very happy, popsicle display in the middle of winter.

We stopped and spoke with Chris Green, founder and Sales Manager for Zoku, manufacturer of the Quick Pop Maker. This is the company's first product and they are very happy with the introductory results. The Good Housekeeping Research Institute selected the Zoku Quick Pop Maker as one of the winners of their third annual VIP (Very Innovative Products) Award. One of the criteria of the award is to find "new products that truly solve problems and make life simpler, safer, and more fun." We agree with that! They were also awarded the 2011 Housewares, Best in Cookware and Bakeware, Design Award. Not bad for a relatively new company.

This is not your usual plastic cup-type popsicle maker. It is more on the lines of an ice cream maker – like the bowl of an electric ice cream maker, the Zoku must be placed in the freezer for 24 hours. But the similarity stops there. The Zoku is not electric and most of the popsicles recipes are ready within 7-9 minutes.

The basic set includes a Pop Maker, six reusable plastic pop sticks and drip cups, and one Super Tool used in quickly releasing the pops from the pop machine. The Pop Maker only makes three popsicles at a time, but if you are quick, you can make up to nine pops before the freezing liquid defrosts and refreezing the unit is required. We advise an extra set of six sticks and drip cups plus a Storage Case, which holds up to six pops. With the extra sticks and Storage Case, you have the flexibility to make and freeze a supply of these tasty wonders.

There is so much you can do with the Pop Maker. It allows you to make healthy treats from nutritious ingredients such as 100 percent fruit juice, yogurt, and pureed fruit. You control the ingredients and your imagination is the limit – along with a few rules such as, no beverages containing artificial sweeteners, carbonated liquids or alcohol. Alternative sweeteners such as honey, maple syrup, molasses and fruit juice concentrates are suggested.

KosherEye also received the Zoku Quick Pops cookbook by Jackie Zorovich and Kristina Sacci. The ladies worked together to develop the recipes for the Pop Maker. The pictures are fabulous and will inspire you to want to make everyone of them! Each recipe makes six pops. The recipes include layering, coating with chocolate, adding extra crunch to the pops such as granola, and instructions on how to personalize your own popsicles. These are options you cannot do with a regular plastic popsicle maker. What a fun book! And it contains very clever and unique popsicle recipes.

The Zoku Quick Pop Maker is pricey at $49.99 but will allow you the flexibility to create frozen and tasty "art" – your family and friends will think you are an artist!